Chapter 52: The Hero's District, A Strange Father and Son

The Hero's District, the rumored area, famed across Ivanov's many legends for the birth of a hero, they say ever since that fateful time many years ago. Those who rose from this very district had achieved great things, and thus was the reason why one could smell the lofty aspirations of those who mingled its streets.

Peering across its well-paved floor that lined a distant and wide streetway towards a far off campus, one would notice that other than a few minor and major businesses on the different corners. There were scholarly looking persons, mixed with a bundle of young students who busily hurried about with their parents.

Much further beyond this sight, one would eventually arrive at a wide land, surrounded by a high metallic gate with a large old English style academic building erected beyond it.

A crest of a sword and a shield engraved onto a signboard that rested above its gates, giving one a deep feeling of majesty as all who walked by it moved with grace, knowing full well of its royal meaning. This building was none other than the Royal Branch Academy, home of aspiring protagonists and a past hero's legend.

"Hurry now, my son. We don't have much time. We have to get as much as we can today so that you will be ready for the academy trials in three days."

"Y-yes, father."

A man said as he moved ahead of his son, walking briskly across the street corridor towards the nearest shop, his son followed behind him with a flustered appearance.

More similar scenes played out, whether small girls or little boys, who traveled with their parents. Amongst this group was a family of four. Though they didn't try to stand out, when they stepped through the crowds, several individuals couldn't help but cast a second look and marvel at their appearance.

A small ten-year-old boy with large, rounded eyes, short orange hair, and a freckled face tugged his father's sleeves as he pointed towards the family's direction with curiosity on his face.

"Father, look, aren't they strange? I can sense something from them, plus they all look so good!"

"Hmm? Mel-Mel, say what now?"

The husky man with similar features said in a slightly distracted tone as he turned his sight towards him; the small boy Mel-Mel otherwise known as Melson, shook his arm angrily as he pointed forward as he babbled.

"Father, stop that; I don't like that name! Now, look there, hurry, they're almost gone!"

Finally, the man shifted his eyes from his son throwing a tantrum, his pupils noticing the backs of Marius, Ria, and Grevlin as they went along the street and faded beyond a crowd.

"Interesting..."

The man murmured as his eyes shone strangely; it seemed as if it could pierce through most of the surroundings. A while later, a smile crept at the corner of his lips as he teased his son.

"My little Mel-Mel, it looks like I was wrong; coming to this town instead of the capital might be more interesting than I'd thought; it even looks like you might even have a worthy adversary."

Melson frowned as his cheeked puffed up when he heard his father calling him by his silly nickname; he snorted, no longer saying anything as he looked away towards the direction they vanished. Recalling Grevlin's portrait, his eyes lit up when he thought to himself.

'Hmph, I want to see where he is so sacred for my father's praise!'

As Melson thought to himself, his eyes burned with competitiveness as he knew that while his father liked to joke around, he wasn't one to speak foolish things.

The man looked at his son with a warm smile but said nothing; he knew what they came here for, and now wasn't the time to be distracted.

"Come, we still have things to deal with,"

"Okay."

Melson nodded and obediently replied as he followed beside his father, who turned towards a different area, fading away from the crowded streets into the unknown.

Marius, Ria, Grevlin, and Little Rose continued to move through the streets towards the nearing academy a distance away from the previous location. While moving, they took in the sights while conversing amongst themselves, ignoring the nosy onlookers with goggling eyes.

"Mama look, that's a big bwuilding!"

Little Rose cutely said as she pointed her finger ahead of the group, nestled in her mother's arms no different from a tiny adventurer.

Grevlin also had a look of interest on his face when he stared at the nearing open gates, he thought to himself.

'So, this is where I'll be attending, it looks... soothing...'

When Grevlin thought to here, he couldn't help but recall his time on Earth, the days of traveling to a normal school with regular individuals; his mood suddenly took a dark turn as if recalling some poor memories.

At this moment, both Marius and Ria were playing with Little Rose, who pointed everywhere and asked questions. However, as if Ria sensed something, her eyes turned towards Grevlin, who had a slightly sullen appearance.

Thinking for a little bit, she nudged Marius with her elbow and hinted towards Grevlin with her eyes; Marius soon after showed a look of realizations; he turned to Grevlin and patted his shoulder while speaking.

"Son, what's wrong?"

Grevlin soon awoke from his daze as he heard his father's words; he looked at him and his mother before gazing at the school a little distance away before he replied.

"Father, mother, will this school be like those on Earth?"

When both Marius and Ria heard this, they both became silent as they looked at each other. Marius knew what Grevlin was hinting at as he had experienced similar things even when raised as an assassin. Ria, on the other hand, having lived on Earth for such a long time, had naturally grown to understand some things.

After a short while, Marius sighed before he raised his hand from Grevlin's shoulder and rubbed his black hair when he answered.

"Grev-Grev, all schools will always be similar no matter where you are, even if on Earth you had to experience bullying or being shunned by others, it will naturally be true that you'll experience such things in this world."

When Grevlin heard this, his eyes turned a bit sullen; he didn't want to go through such a thing again, limiting his strength for another's sake, keeping distance not to break things, or even preventing others from learning of his secrets.

Grevlin was about to say something, but right at this time, Marius smacked his forehead with his finger causing Grevlin to hold it in pain as exclaimed, "Ouch!"

Marius showed a faint smile as he spoke again, "However, you Grev-Grev are my son; there shouldn't any matter in this world that should allow for you to hold your head down, as my son you must face all adversity head-on and overcome it like the champion you were born to become. Remember, it's not the school or the people around you that defines your existence; it is but yourself and what you do to make your dreams a reality."

Grevlin's eyes widened at his father's words, he looked at Marius, who had his hand on top of his head, ruffling his hair with a wide grin on his face, his fatherly smile filled with compassion and pride.

Grevlin felt like crying at those words, but as he recalled what his father thought about a boy's crying, he sucked up his tears by rubbing the corners of his eyes. Soon, his eyes turned sharper, filled with a bit more confidence as he spoke in a tone with newfound strength.

"I understand, father."

"Good, that's my boy."

Marius replied as he smacked Grevlin's back with his hand; with a hearty laugh, the family continued onwards as the poor Grevlin held his back with both arms, pushing himself to resist the pain.